President tells leaders to mobilise followers against corruption, crime

chika ebuzor

March 18, 2016 5:18 AM

Buhari maintained that leaders at all levels must work hard to uplift the quality of life of their followers.

President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday urged religious, community and political leaders to mobilise their followers against corruption and other crimes.

Buhari made the call at International Islamic Conference on Peace and Nation Building organised by Jama’atul Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), in conjunction with the Muslim World League, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, at Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

He stated that the call had become imperative in view of the fact that Nigeria had suffered many years of official neglect and corruption leading to the common man’s untold hardship.

He assured that his administration would do everything possible to safeguard lives and property of all citizens and also to ensure even development across the country.

The President urged the leaders to intensify efforts to send out the real teachings of their religion to counter the diabolical ideology that motivates the insurgent elements.

He also called on them to encourage their followers ``to be more tolerant of each other and recognise the rights of others as they want others to recognise their rights to worship and live freely.’’

According to him, Islam does not permit lawlessness and it frowns at extremism even in normal acts of worship.

He said the emergence of any group advocating the contrary was, therefore, irreligious and unacceptable.

"Religious leaders must intensify their efforts to send out the real teachings of their religion in order to counter the diabolical ideology that motivates the insurgent elements.

"I call on all religious, community and political leaders to mobilise their followers against corruption and crimes.

"They should also encourage them to be more tolerant of each other; and recognise the rights of others as they want others to recognise their rights to worship and live freely.’’

The President maintained that leaders at all levels must work hard to uplift the quality of life of their followers.

chika ebuzor